Thorn wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thorn wattle |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
continua
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The thorn wattle (also known as Acacia continua) is a type of shrub. It belongs to the Acacia plant family. You can find this plant growing naturally in New South Wales and South Australia.
Contents
What is the Thorn Wattle?
The thorn wattle is a bushy plant with many branches. It usually grows to be about 1 meter (3 feet) tall. It can spread out to about 0.7 meters (2 feet) wide.
Leaves and Flowers
This shrub has stiff, flat leaf-like parts called phyllodes. They often have a small hook at the end. These phyllodes can grow up to 3 centimeters (1 inch) long.
The thorn wattle blooms in winter and spring. It produces bright yellow, round flowers. These flowers look like small fuzzy balls.
Seeds and Pods
After flowering, the plant forms wrinkled brown seed pods. These pods are usually curved or coiled. They are about 8 centimeters (3 inches) long and 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) wide. Inside the pods are hard, brown seeds. The seeds are oval or round and about 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) long.
Thorn Wattle's Name and History
The thorn wattle was first officially described in 1864. A botanist named George Bentham gave it its scientific name, Acacia continua. He wrote about it in a book called Flora Australiensis.
What Does "Continua" Mean?
The second part of its scientific name, continua, comes from a Latin word. It means "uninterrupted." This name refers to how the plant's phyllodes seem to run continuously from its stems and branches.
Other Names
Sometimes, the thorn wattle is confused with another plant. This plant is called Acacia colletioides.
Where the Thorn Wattle Grows
The thorn wattle grows in different parts of Australia.
New South Wales Habitat
In New South Wales, you can find it in the central and western areas. It often grows on rocky ridges and along rivers and creeks. It is part of plant groups called mallee and Callitris woodland communities.
South Australia Habitat
In South Australia, the thorn wattle is common on the Eyre Peninsula. It also grows in the Flinders Ranges and Mount Lofty Ranges. It can be found all the way down to the coast. This plant likes hard, sandy soils that are alkaline or calcareous (meaning they contain lime). It grows in open woodlands, scrublands, and Triodia grassland areas.
